Sweet Seduction Shield(93)

"You can do that without a marriage certificate."

"True. But I want it all." He hurried on when I stiffened. "But I can wait."

"For what?"

He smiled. It was one of his sexy smiles; all knowing, and mischievous, and a little bad-boy inside.

"For you to realise that you want it too."

I shook my head and opened my mouth to argue, his finger pressed firmly onto my lips to shut me up.

"Hush," he instructed. "Trust me. I'm a cop." He winked. "Now that that's settled." It is? "Let's grab a coffee, something to eat, and go sit outside in the sun."

I glanced out the window, catching a glimpse of Daisy climbing a tree off to the side of the backyard. Bare feet, skirt caught in her knickers, as she scurried up the trunk like a monkey onto a higher branch.

She was happy. Carefree. She felt safe here, with me and Ryan. Maybe it was mainly the presence of 'deetetiv' Pierce. Or maybe it was that her mother was here and she could see what Ryan gave me. A calmness that stilled the storm inside, a shield that wasn't made of ice. The ability to get through the day without counting.

Ryan had turned my world upside down and inside out. And then given me a rudder to sail straight again. Offered me a shoulder to lean on. The courage to escape a situation that was not good, nor safe, nor right.

"You know what," I said, as I took one of the coffee cups he'd just filled. He half turned to look at me as he piled some pastries onto a plate to take outside. "You kind of are a knight in shining armour."

He snorted, then covered it with a laugh instead.

"As long as you let me be yours and Daisy's knight in shining armour."

I offered a wide smile, miraculously feeling the honesty behind it. I'd had a mini breakdown, almost reverted to old ways, and somehow he'd steered me clear of the turbulent waters. And given me a lighthouse to aim for.

We sat down on the deck chairs and sipped our drinks quietly, taking in the stunning view, the serenity of the location, the beauty that was his birth mother's home. I flicked a glance over towards him, saw where his thoughts had gone, and reached out a hand to grasp his.

He squeezed my fingers and lifted his coffee to his lips to sip, his eyes on me, not the view or the past. I held his gaze drinking my own coffee and listened to Daisy sing, accompanied by the odd sea gull.

Minutes ticked by pleasantly, there was no need for chatter. No need to make conversation when none was desired. Our eyes said it all.

His said, You're beautiful.

Mine replied, You're pretty hot, yourself.

His answered, If we were alone, I'd have my wicked way with you.

Mine teased, Not before I had mine with you.

His asked, And how exactly does that go?

Mine whispered, Me on my knees, you lost to my mouth.

He cleared his throat, shifted in his seat, and flicked a glance over to Daisy.

I sniggered quietly to myself, blowing the steam above my mug, and watched the world go by. For a moment pretending nothing else mattered, but the three people right here, and this little slice out of time.

It was perfect.

Until he said, eyes staring off into the distance, a small smirk tipping up the edges of his lips, "Realised you want it yet?"

And then it became real.

I was in love with this man. I wasn't sure if I was ready for marriage, I wasn't sure if I ever would be again, but maybe it would be OK to find out. With him.





Chapter 27


I'd Never Dared Hope For More

We spent most of the day purposely not mentioning the ledger or Roan McLaren or the tattooed goon and former Detective Andrews. We avoided every possible thing that would shatter the fragile peace we had. We clung to fantasy, refusing to give in to reality, and just soaked up the sun in the backyard, watched the yachts and larger container ships sail out into the distance, and entertained Daisy.

There wasn't much for a five year old to do at Ryan's holiday home. I had stopped calling it his birth mother's home sometime before lunch. It obviously still reminded him of her. I'd be surprised if he could ever look at the place and not be reminded. But isn't that why he purchased it? To have that link to his biological mother.

I'd catch him with a empty look on his face, staring at something neither Daisy nor I could see. So I'd sneak up and kiss him behind his ear, run a hand over his butt cheek in passing, or make Daisy jump on his back and beg for a horse ride. Anything to break the trap of memories he'd fallen into. It worked, he'd offer a lascivious grin and wink to me, or in Daisy's case he'd start to tickle her, chasing her about the garden or inside the house.

The rear of the property was sheltered from the front, but although Daisy begged to walk along the beach and search for seashells, Ryan had to gently let her down. We were adequately hidden in the backyard, but should anyone recognise us in the more public places our safe house would no longer be safe. So sunbathing on the deck, tree climbing and butterfly catching around the garden and inside the odd board game; a good selection of which were stored in a cupboard off the hall.